Cotton chopper



June 15 1926.

COTTON CHOPPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 8,

WWW ow m a M 0 4 @&\H u. j Wm M U My 7 1 J mu m M f n A u m .4 5 m W n H o W 7. m r In- L 7 June 15 1926. Y J. M. CALDWELL COTTON CHOPPER Filed Sept. 8. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED ST TES JOHN M. CALDWELL, OESOUTI-IMAYDE, TEXAS.

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Application filed September 8, 1924. Serial No. 736,601.

This invention relates to an improved cotton chopper which I have designed to supersede similar marketed and patented devices, with which I am familiar.

The improved chopper is constructed principally from a plurality of angle irons which are so related as to provide runners, plow beam mounting means, etc., suitable braces being provided to secure rigidity of structure, and the parts being so arranged as to make for ready adjustment.

Other features and advantages may be come apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cotton chopper constructed in accordance with the present invention. I

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view showing the method of adjustment.

In carrying out the invention, a suitably designed supporting frame is provided. The frame comprises horizontal angle irons 1 at its bottom, which functions as runners. The forward ends of the runners may be directed upwardly as indicated at 2, to facilitate travel of the device over the surface to be traversed. Connected to and extending upwardly from the runners are pairs of spaced irons 3, which are connected at their upper ends to the upper side bars 4. The side bars may be connected together by front and rear cross bars 5 and 6 respectively. If desired, intermediate cross bars may be provided for increasing the strength of the device. At this time, I wish to direct attention to the fact that the cross bars 5 and 6 are composed of sections 7 which have their inner ends overlapped and provided with aligned apertures for passage of retaining bolts 8. Obviously, this arrangement permits the sections to be adjusted on each other to increase or decrease the width of the ards 1 1 and 12, which are provided at their j lower ends with pivotally mounted ploW heads 13. If desired, suitable'spring means l i may be provided between the standards and plow heads to maintain the latter in yieldable engagement with the surf-ace. In

this manner, breakage of the plow points and heads is overcome'to a noticeable extent, In practice, any number of plows may be used. For instance, the plows maybe arranged in front and rear transverse rows as better seen in Figure 3, or a single row may be utilized. The plows ofthe rear row may be directly connected with the arms 9, directly in back of the runners. This row may include two or three plows. The front row preferably comprisesa number of plows which are supported from aboard or the like 15, which 1s in turn supported from the arms 9. The plows are removable, and in practice, different sizes of plow heads will be used, accordmg to the spaces existing. 7

For the purpose of swinging the arms 9 upon their pivots to adjust the depth of cut of the plow, suitable hoisting means is provided. In the present instance, the hoisting means comprises a pair of pivot ally mounted levers 16. The levers are pro vicled at their lower ends with chains or suitable flexible connections 17, which are, in turn, connected with the intermediate portions of the arms 9. Exerting a rearward pull upon the levers will lift the arms to the desired angular position. In practice, segmental racks 17 will be secured to the side bars 4 and the levers will be provided with latches for cooperation with the teeth of the rack. Thus, the arms 9 will be held in any position to which they are adjusted.

Referring again to Figure 3, it will be seen that the forward ends of the side bar 4: are directed downwardly, as indicated at 19 and the free ends co-act with the corresponding ends of the upturned portions ofthe runners to provide adjusting means for the draft connection 20. This point has suitably directed braces thereon to obviate torsional strains.

In practice, the plow carrying arm will be swung to the desired angular position with respect to the surface of the ground to be traversed, thus positioning the plows at a point to obtain the desired depth of cut. The ran e of adjustment is considerable inasmuci' as the 'ivotal connections of the arms are adjusta' is as are the rear ends thereof. The hoisting means provided is such as to permit ready adjustment and to maintain the parts in a set position. The

device is noW dragged crosswise of the field' zontal bars and forward and rearward vertical bars, the forward ends of the horizon tal bars being directed toward each other in converging relation and secured together to provide draft connecting means the upturned end of the loWer bar converting the latter into a runner, and angular crossmembers connecting said frames together in asembled relation, said cross members being composed of sections adjustably connected With each other, and a pair of horizontal plow carrying arm's, there being an arm for each end frame, said arm being adjustably connected With the vertical bars of the respective frame and being provided with depending standards.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. I 7

JOHN M. OALDIVELL. 

